Village and Wetzstoa Museum Unterammergau

Special areas such as flax cultivation, weaving and the department for archaeological finds convey the life and attitude of the locals. The museum is also one of the specialty museums. The production of the whetstones, which takes up a large space, tells of the unique craft that has been practiced for generations. Whetstones (Wetzstoa) are the namesake of the museum.

The Historical Working Group has been running the Unterammergau Village and Wetzstoa Museum since 2002. The association has set itself the task of documenting Unterammergau's rich and eventful history and making it accessible to everyone. The members of the association work on a voluntary basis.

The focus of the small museum is whetstone making, forestry, agriculture, textile processing (until 1850 there were still 7 linen weavers), archeology and general local history.

The early settlement history of the place is particularly impressively demonstrated by a Rhaetian sacrificial site on the lower caste and the Rhaetian rock carvings in the Pürschling area. The presence of the Romans around the birth of Christ is proven by coin treasures that were found in the Schleifmühlklamm and the site from Roman times at Burgbichel. The coins are from the period from the Roman Republic to the Emperor Commodus.

Until the 19th century, Unterammergau lived mainly from whetstone making. The museum exhibits the tools and various products with individual work steps in the production of whetstones that have been preserved from the abandoned quarries and demolished grinding mills. A model of a whetstone mill illustrates the individual work processes.

The extensive collection of tools and means of transport provides a good insight into forestry in times gone by.

These and many other lovingly preserved equipment and facilities can also be found in the museum.

You can find further information about events or opening times in our Calendar of Events